Jamestown weekly alert. [volume] (Jamestown, Stutsman County, D.T. [N.D.]) 1882-1925, 1887-05-26
LOCALITY LOCALIZED

P0A CNAA~S 80 S~>~ =,
and County.
AS Gathered and Prepared for the
Edification and Information
of The Alsrt's Numer-
GUS Readers.
TO BORE Fok GAS.
A stock Company Of jamestown
Citizens Formed for That
Purpose.
Ever since the presence of natural gas
was discovered in boring the artesian
well number of jamestown capitalists
have been considering the project OF
sinking gas well. It is a well known
fact that sufficient gas was found in the
well to force its way through the column
of water 1900 feet high and that 1t es-
capped at the mouth Of the piping in such
quantities as to burn to the heighth OF
over a foot. There is but little doubt as
to the existence of gas in this part Of the
territory and the only problem to be
solved is its extent and quantity. Yes
terday it was learned that a syndicate of
citizens consisting of Messrs. Geo. r.
Toplff, VIM. M. Lloyd, Anton Klaus, ST.,
Thos. B. Lloyd, w. E. Greene and Others
had about determined to make the ex-
pertinent and to that end were preparing
the necessary documents to form stock
company for the prosecution OF the work.
These gentlemen are all abundantly able
and the enterprise seems to be one in
which a little time and money will be
very liable to bring the most beneficial
and profitable return. of any enterprise
that could be inaugurated in this city.
It is said that bids will be advertised for
soon and the matter hurried to compile
ton.
As an evidence that gas exists IN
various parts Of the territory the follow
ing interesting account OF the natural
gas which has been found at three diff
ferent places near Blunt, Sllly county,
Dakota is gwen. The report is that the
!. last strike was made May 18th, and that
the we'll is gusher. The Blunt Advo-
cate says:
It will be remembered that on the
9th OF February, while boring for water
MI. r. NJ. McC Clure, living on 23-113-H,
Summit township Sul1y county, eight
miles northwest of Blunt, struck a vein
/. Of gas at depth of 100 feet. A lighted
match was applied and 1t showed signs
OF force, burning a fame at least four
feet high.
Gas not being the object OF Mr.. Nc
Clure's search, he pulled out his tubing,
abandoned the hole, and proceeded to
sink another about twenty or twenty-five
rods north, on a line nearly from his
house in hopes of striking water. At
depth of 1914 feet another vein OF gas was
struck, which appeared to flow freely and
with greater force than the first one and
burned with steady fame. This shaft
ING was also removed and the hole
allowed to fill up with dirt, and no signs
of escaninp gas can now be noticed. Mr..
Mcclure Is perfectly satisfied with the
unality and thinks from the force of the
Aow that there can be no doubt about
the supply. Mr.. Edward Thompson,
proprietor of the Blunt roller mills, who
accompanied the writer, while something
of scientist, lays no CLAIMS to any
special knowledge of the geological for
nations or science of the earth, yet ne
questioned closely both Mr.. Mcclure and
Mr.. Dempsey the gentleman IN charge
OF the drilling machinery concerning
the different strata through which they
nassed IN boring these holes, and 1t seems
inst before striking the gas vein that
they drilled for number OF feet IN a sou y
slate stone. There seems to be very little
smell to the gas, and what little there IS
has tendency towards the fumes OF
evaporating kerosene.
Going to the hole first mentioned, we
were informed that it had never been
closed: that after its first discovery it was
allowed to burn steadily for three weeks
and was used to melt snow for stock and
family use, producing heat sufficient to
melt in an hours time barrel OF water
using large tin pan for kettle. Inc
snow however as it melted in the sprlng
ran down the hole and it was supposed
to be partly filed with water and dirt, YET
gas was Ontlnually escaping, salu Mr. Mc, !,
Clure, and match was lighted, held
I over the hole and to our great surprise
there came forth flame of light which
carried feeling of satisfaction with it,
snbstantiatia beyond doubt every
ntterance by Mr.. Mcclure.
The fact that four or five gas VEINS
have been struck without a radious OF
eight or ten miles, and the further TACT
that some of the water wells OF an equal
depth to these veins have strong symp-
toms Of escaping gas, leads us to believe
the matter worthy Of attention and Z, lnves-
tieation. Hardly an eastern daily comes
to our table but that contains mention OF
the discovery OF natural gas In some new
noint in Indiana, Ohio, or some other
State. These gas wells are utilized for
l;pht and heat, and in many towns nave
atfracted manufacturing industries, when
nse the gas for power instead OF steam: .:
Wby shouldn't wemove in the direction n, OF
nm orpanization to investigate? me
discovery of natural aeconomizer such as
GAS would soon solve the fuel question
and give Dakota, and particularly thls ms
section. such boom as could never DO
realized from any other source.